A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND COMMENDING HERMAN AND IMOGENE FURNISS ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, Herman and Imogene Furniss, who were united in Holy Matrimony on August 10, 1950, at Courtland, Mississippi, will celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary at a special reception to be held on Sunday, August 13, 2000, at the Rena Lara Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Rena Lara, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Herman and Imogene Furniss have been even further blessed with six great-grandchildren; namely, Heather Nicole Schmidt, Erin Colby Furniss, Brienna Leigh Schmidt, Courtney Allyssa Furniss and Gary Kenneth Roberson, III, with the loss of Marshall Cody Furniss at 77 days of age; and

WHEREAS, Herman and Imogene Furniss have lived most of their lives in Rena Lara and Coahoma County, Mississippi, where they have been active and productive members of their community; and

WHEREAS, Herman Furniss, during his lifetime, has many church, civic, community and business accomplishments including: Rena Lara Baptist Church Deacon, Chairman of Deacons, Music Director and Sunday School Teacher; President of Clarksdale Civitan Club, organizer of Rena Lara Civitan Club and Lt. Governor of Clarksdale, Cleveland and Rena Lara Civitan Clubs; Gideon member, 1970-1999, having served as President and Statewide Bible Secretary; founder and operator of his own business (Furniss Sewing Machine Company, Clarksdale and Cleveland), beginning in 1967; and member of the Coahoma County Election Commission since 1969 (31 years), serving as Chairman, 1980-present; and

WHEREAS, Imogene Furniss, during her lifetime, has many family, church, civic and business accomplishments including: mother and full-time homemaker; Rena Lara Baptist Church Pianist and Sunday School Teacher; member of Rena Lara Home Demonstration Club, serving as President and Secretary; and Postmaster of the United States Post Office at Rena Lara, 1966-1985; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and honor the accomplishments and achievements of citizens of this state, and especially those who have attained the success of celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby congratulate and commend Herman and Imogene Furniss on their 50 years of marriage and for the love they have shared with each other, their family and their community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Senator Delma Furniss is hereby designated to represent this body in presenting this resolution to Herman and Imogene Furniss on the occasion of the celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary at a special reception to be held on August 13, 2000, at the Rena Lara Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Rena Lara.